When my cable bill jumped from $141.00 a month to $153.09 in June, I called to ask for an explanation. It's a service increase: the cost of service has gone up, including that long list of "nickel and dime" costs that add $15.05 in fees and taxes to my monthly bill. Basically, if I want cable there is one company that provides it in my area, so whatever they charge, I pay.
However, when July's bill arrived today and my monthly cost jumped from the $153.09 to $177.03, a price I am unwilling to pay, I called again. The explanation is that I (unknowingly) agreed to a special two-year service package that expired in June, and the price for that service package went from $128.85 to $161.98 with no changes, no upgrades, no notification. Add the taxes and fees and shazam: $177.03 per month for cable TV, the DVR box option, internet connection, and phone service.
It took 3 calls to come up with another plan that fits my budget, deletes many of the optional channels I never watch, including all of the Spanish-language options, the plethora of sports channels, and the specialized children's channels. I'm keeping the "basic" 2-99 channels in HDTV, my DVR, internet, and expanded nationwide long distance (my last service plan limited my calls to CA only), as well as all the 200 channels, and HBO and Cinemax for 3 months "free." If I forget to call TW Cable and tell them I don't want to continue with HBO and Cinemax, they become added costs to the now $126.53 (including tax/fees) service charge. I asked if I could cancel it say next week, but that's not an option because it's a "free" 3-month trial.
NOTE TO SELF: On or before September 15, 2012 I MUST call Time Warner Cable and tell them to discontinue the HBO and Cinemax "free" trial.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Cornered
This morning, the girls and I made it to the corner before we were viciously attacked by two large dogs. My neighbor, to whom I had just been speaking, stood there as I repeatedly called to him for help. I fumbled for my dog spray and took a chance at hitting the attacking dogs, instead of my dogs, as they each had sunk their teeth into Daisy's hind quarters, one on each side, and were starting to pull her toward them. Luckily, the spray hit one of them full in the face, so it let go, and as I turned the spray toward the other dog, it, too, let go and they took off running across an empty lot to the east of our location.
Daisy's hind quarters have deep puncture wounds on both sides of her body, as well as one fairly large tearing wound on her right side. She's at the vet, but should be able to return home this afternoon. The tearing wound is probably going to require surgery to repair, which means another significant vet bill that I have to pay with no recourse to hold the animal owners responsible because, even though I drove up and down the street the dogs headed toward, I have not been able to locate them.
I did call the police and told them I was attacked in the intersection, described the two dogs as very large "husky"-like dogs with blue eyes, and told the officer that they had fled east from the intersection. I also added that my neighbor, who (finally) came to my assistance, had been attacked by the same two dogs while he was in his own front yard, located at that corner. I suggested that the police need to find those dogs and contain them because dogs that will attack not just other dogs, but humans, are too dangerous to reside in a residential neighborhood.
That went well; they will send the animal control officer to my residence later today to take my report. Last time that officer came to my residence, when Mia was attacked and it cost me $1000 at the vet for treatment of her injuries, the officer could not help me because I did not know whether it was a male or a female German Shepherd that had jumped its wall and attacked us. I assured the officer that I was too busy fighting off the dog to look for a penis, but the witness statements, as well as the vet report/bill, were simply not evidence that could be used to hold the dog owners liable for the damages their dogs caused to my dogs.
Yesterday, another block up and a couple over, a pit bull came through the wooden fence. As I fumbled for my pepper spray, a city employee drove up in a city vehicle. I flagged him down and he put his truck against the fence, forcing the dog back inside, so we could escape. I can name all the streets and point out the houses where dogs have come outside their yards to attack us, but there is no recourse available to me except to stop walking my dogs.
Put simply, the vet bill from Mia's injuries hurt me financially at a time I had already committed to paying for the cruise, and here comes another vet bill when I'm trying to gather the financial resources to pay for the trip back east for my daughter's wedding. The dogs and I love going for our daily walks, but I'm beginning to think the risk outweighs the benefits for all 3 of us!
Daisy's hind quarters have deep puncture wounds on both sides of her body, as well as one fairly large tearing wound on her right side. She's at the vet, but should be able to return home this afternoon. The tearing wound is probably going to require surgery to repair, which means another significant vet bill that I have to pay with no recourse to hold the animal owners responsible because, even though I drove up and down the street the dogs headed toward, I have not been able to locate them.
I did call the police and told them I was attacked in the intersection, described the two dogs as very large "husky"-like dogs with blue eyes, and told the officer that they had fled east from the intersection. I also added that my neighbor, who (finally) came to my assistance, had been attacked by the same two dogs while he was in his own front yard, located at that corner. I suggested that the police need to find those dogs and contain them because dogs that will attack not just other dogs, but humans, are too dangerous to reside in a residential neighborhood.
That went well; they will send the animal control officer to my residence later today to take my report. Last time that officer came to my residence, when Mia was attacked and it cost me $1000 at the vet for treatment of her injuries, the officer could not help me because I did not know whether it was a male or a female German Shepherd that had jumped its wall and attacked us. I assured the officer that I was too busy fighting off the dog to look for a penis, but the witness statements, as well as the vet report/bill, were simply not evidence that could be used to hold the dog owners liable for the damages their dogs caused to my dogs.
Yesterday, another block up and a couple over, a pit bull came through the wooden fence. As I fumbled for my pepper spray, a city employee drove up in a city vehicle. I flagged him down and he put his truck against the fence, forcing the dog back inside, so we could escape. I can name all the streets and point out the houses where dogs have come outside their yards to attack us, but there is no recourse available to me except to stop walking my dogs.
Put simply, the vet bill from Mia's injuries hurt me financially at a time I had already committed to paying for the cruise, and here comes another vet bill when I'm trying to gather the financial resources to pay for the trip back east for my daughter's wedding. The dogs and I love going for our daily walks, but I'm beginning to think the risk outweighs the benefits for all 3 of us!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Women and Handy"men"
I'm redecorating one of the bedrooms, just a bit of painting, some curtains and pillow covers, and new flooring. In the past, I did all the work myself, enjoying both the demo and the reno, but my body is no longer able to put in 12-15 hours each day in hard physical labor. I tried to find someone to help me with the project, to be the extra set of helping hands that make a job easier to do and quicker to finish, but it is apparent that "handymen" no longer exist.
The best I could do would cost me $25/hr because the job includes reno. Well, no, it doesn't, but taking everything out of the closet, pulling out the old carpet, pad, and tack strip, then painting the inside and installing peel 'n stick floor tiles is reno to a couple of the handymen I consulted. In my world, reno is demo, followed by construction, followed by the cosmetic, such as painting and installing flooring. I just needed help with taking off the huge, heavy closet doors to provide better access, then lifting everything out of the closet and taking out the tack strip, all physical activities that set my body into advanced pain mode, but I'm not willing to pay anyone $25/hr to do that menial labor.
My Scandinavian ancestry is both a blessing and a challenge when it comes to stubborn, so I tackled the jobs myself. First, I took off the closet doors and got them outside (using those magic slider things that can help anyone move anything anywhere any time), then I removed everything from the closet, pulled up the carpet, the pad, and the tack strip, and filled a crack and some nail holes. Took me 2 hours, and when I finished, I showered and drove to the big box home improvement store to purchase supplies, including flooring for the closet.
I want a light grey in the room, quite a change from the robust purple I used after installing the door where a window used to be. My thinking is that a color scheme of grey, black, white and bright yellow is neutral, but more masculine, as long as the grey on the walls is soft. I found a color chip that is what my mind's eye saw, and walked to the paint counter to have 2 gallons of Kilz paint mixed. Believe it or not, the paint counter employee told me a story about why he could not mix that color in that paint brand because every color mixes differently with every brand of paint and that chip is not from the brand of paint I want mixed. IF I want that color, I have to buy the brand of paint for which that is a color chip. I smiled, then asked him if he really wanted me to believe that story -- or if he was just having fun at my expense.
He assured me that what he told me is true, so I laughed, told him I'd make the purchase at another store, drove across the street, walked to the paint counter, ordered that color in the Kilz paint, and had the order in hand 10 minutes later. And, the color is exactly what it is on the chip, regardless of whose chip it is.
I've painted the closet interior, put down the faux wood grain vinyl tile squares, put essentials back into the closet, decided not to rehang the closet doors, and have completed the main part of the guest room (2 coats of paint), except for the floor molding. I'm going to add ceiling molding, too, which I planned to do after painting the room the last time, but then came 2 knee surgeries and a broken back. This time, the ceiling molding is going up in the guest room, as well as the office, which is also lacking that amenity. For me, the challenge is to cut the angles correctly as I don't have good spacial recognition ability, although I can cut a straight line every time. It's putting together pieces, such as required when assembling a puzzle, that baffles me.
My plan for the closet opening is installation of the kind of curtain track used in doctor offices and hospital rooms. I'm going to hide the track inside the header used for the sliding doors I'm not going to use again, and I already covered the gold with zebra pattern duct tape, which I've decided is going to be my accent: zebra pattern. I purchased both grey and black sheets, which I'm going to repurpose as closet curtains, adding chain to weight down the bottoms so they hang, rather than float. I've used the zebra pattern on an old mirror, as well as for pillowcases that will go on the black couch bed when it's delivered. I also found a saucer chair in black that I'll punch up with a bright yellow decorative pillow. I've both knit and crocheted some "doilies" for the tops of surfaces, using greys, white and bright yellow to tie that color scheme together.
She's back and gettin' it done!!
The best I could do would cost me $25/hr because the job includes reno. Well, no, it doesn't, but taking everything out of the closet, pulling out the old carpet, pad, and tack strip, then painting the inside and installing peel 'n stick floor tiles is reno to a couple of the handymen I consulted. In my world, reno is demo, followed by construction, followed by the cosmetic, such as painting and installing flooring. I just needed help with taking off the huge, heavy closet doors to provide better access, then lifting everything out of the closet and taking out the tack strip, all physical activities that set my body into advanced pain mode, but I'm not willing to pay anyone $25/hr to do that menial labor.
My Scandinavian ancestry is both a blessing and a challenge when it comes to stubborn, so I tackled the jobs myself. First, I took off the closet doors and got them outside (using those magic slider things that can help anyone move anything anywhere any time), then I removed everything from the closet, pulled up the carpet, the pad, and the tack strip, and filled a crack and some nail holes. Took me 2 hours, and when I finished, I showered and drove to the big box home improvement store to purchase supplies, including flooring for the closet.
I want a light grey in the room, quite a change from the robust purple I used after installing the door where a window used to be. My thinking is that a color scheme of grey, black, white and bright yellow is neutral, but more masculine, as long as the grey on the walls is soft. I found a color chip that is what my mind's eye saw, and walked to the paint counter to have 2 gallons of Kilz paint mixed. Believe it or not, the paint counter employee told me a story about why he could not mix that color in that paint brand because every color mixes differently with every brand of paint and that chip is not from the brand of paint I want mixed. IF I want that color, I have to buy the brand of paint for which that is a color chip. I smiled, then asked him if he really wanted me to believe that story -- or if he was just having fun at my expense.
He assured me that what he told me is true, so I laughed, told him I'd make the purchase at another store, drove across the street, walked to the paint counter, ordered that color in the Kilz paint, and had the order in hand 10 minutes later. And, the color is exactly what it is on the chip, regardless of whose chip it is.
I've painted the closet interior, put down the faux wood grain vinyl tile squares, put essentials back into the closet, decided not to rehang the closet doors, and have completed the main part of the guest room (2 coats of paint), except for the floor molding. I'm going to add ceiling molding, too, which I planned to do after painting the room the last time, but then came 2 knee surgeries and a broken back. This time, the ceiling molding is going up in the guest room, as well as the office, which is also lacking that amenity. For me, the challenge is to cut the angles correctly as I don't have good spacial recognition ability, although I can cut a straight line every time. It's putting together pieces, such as required when assembling a puzzle, that baffles me.
My plan for the closet opening is installation of the kind of curtain track used in doctor offices and hospital rooms. I'm going to hide the track inside the header used for the sliding doors I'm not going to use again, and I already covered the gold with zebra pattern duct tape, which I've decided is going to be my accent: zebra pattern. I purchased both grey and black sheets, which I'm going to repurpose as closet curtains, adding chain to weight down the bottoms so they hang, rather than float. I've used the zebra pattern on an old mirror, as well as for pillowcases that will go on the black couch bed when it's delivered. I also found a saucer chair in black that I'll punch up with a bright yellow decorative pillow. I've both knit and crocheted some "doilies" for the tops of surfaces, using greys, white and bright yellow to tie that color scheme together.
She's back and gettin' it done!!
Magic Eraser Sans Magic
I submitted a review to Procter & Gamble that won't make it to their product rave reviews site because I am most unhappy with the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Outdoor Pro, so the only raving I can do is to encourage customers not to purchase this product. Of course, it costs more, but I believed that it was beefed up to handle outdoor jobs based on the rhetoric on the packaging: "50% stronger to last longer." On the list of uses, P&G touts it as "Great for decks, grills, siding, car wheels, playgrounds, outdoor furniture, & more!"
My experience: no to all of the above claims.
I have an outdoor table with a glass tabletop that needed cleaning, so I took the first "50% stronger to last longer" Magic Eraser out of the package and applied it to the glass: it shredded. On a smooth surface, such as glass, a paper towel lasts longer than the Magic Eraser, which did not bode well for the list of "outdoor" designated uses. I took out another Magic Eraser and tried it on an- smooth metal outdoor bench and it literally broke in half after a couple of swipes. It doesn't take me three strikes to know this product cannot live up to its own hype.
Because I've used the regular Magic Erasers in the house and love them, I am more disappointed than had I not experienced past success with this product line. In my opinion, I could use the regular household ME and have it perform better than the new "Outdoor Pro," which costs more and does much, much less.
My advice: don't buy the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Outdoor Pro.
My experience: no to all of the above claims.
I have an outdoor table with a glass tabletop that needed cleaning, so I took the first "50% stronger to last longer" Magic Eraser out of the package and applied it to the glass: it shredded. On a smooth surface, such as glass, a paper towel lasts longer than the Magic Eraser, which did not bode well for the list of "outdoor" designated uses. I took out another Magic Eraser and tried it on an- smooth metal outdoor bench and it literally broke in half after a couple of swipes. It doesn't take me three strikes to know this product cannot live up to its own hype.
Because I've used the regular Magic Erasers in the house and love them, I am more disappointed than had I not experienced past success with this product line. In my opinion, I could use the regular household ME and have it perform better than the new "Outdoor Pro," which costs more and does much, much less.
My advice: don't buy the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Outdoor Pro.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
A Moment
I've been buying lottery tickets this month because it's my birthday month, my horoscope keeps telling me that I am coming into some money, and my Chinese student told me that I am lucky. Whatever. I seldom win, but I have won once in a while, so I decided to try again and see if this is my lucky time or not.
The other day, the BIG lottery drawing was held, but I don't check my numbers until the end of the week. I play a certain set of numbers plus some quick picks just because I know I won't win regardless, so that's what I do. I wrote the winning numbers on my pad and thought, "Hmm, those numbers sound familar." When I was finished, I checked the lottery ticket and my heart came to a complete standstill when I had the first number drawn, the second number drawn, and then the third number drawn in that order. For the good of my heart, I guess it's good I didn't have the other 2 numbers, nor the "bonus" number on that same draw, but I did have it on another ticket.
And, believe it or not, I bought 2 of the scratch-off cards with my birthday money -- and won $10 on each card, doubling my pay-in!
I'm going to collect a whopping $8.00 for having the 3 winning numbers, and I already collected my $20 for the scratchers, but, more importantly, now that I've won something, I won't win anything again, so I'll stop wasting my money and go back to watering the money tree growing in the backyard.
The other day, the BIG lottery drawing was held, but I don't check my numbers until the end of the week. I play a certain set of numbers plus some quick picks just because I know I won't win regardless, so that's what I do. I wrote the winning numbers on my pad and thought, "Hmm, those numbers sound familar." When I was finished, I checked the lottery ticket and my heart came to a complete standstill when I had the first number drawn, the second number drawn, and then the third number drawn in that order. For the good of my heart, I guess it's good I didn't have the other 2 numbers, nor the "bonus" number on that same draw, but I did have it on another ticket.
And, believe it or not, I bought 2 of the scratch-off cards with my birthday money -- and won $10 on each card, doubling my pay-in!
I'm going to collect a whopping $8.00 for having the 3 winning numbers, and I already collected my $20 for the scratchers, but, more importantly, now that I've won something, I won't win anything again, so I'll stop wasting my money and go back to watering the money tree growing in the backyard.
POUR Some Sugah!
Rock of Ages is fun!! The music is a trip back in time, loud, pulsing, head-banging rhythms that totally capture an age fondly remembered. It's a musical, so those who do not like the characters breaking into song/dance at the drop of a musical cue will be disappointed, but the end product is a great big smile of happy that is still on my face.
Tom Cruise? Well, he over-does it as the stoned-out rocker, regardless of his role inspiration -- perhaps Axl Rose. Cruise tries for stoned-out distance, but it comes out as a vacancy that creates a void between believable and not so much. He totally rocks out his performance numbers, with, of course, Sugar his crowning glory. It's nice to know that H'wood gives older men so many chances to reinvent their careers at age 50, but prefers to stereotype its women into forever (young) fortyhood. And, just a personal opinion, but I don't buy Tom Cruise as a sex machine: something off there akin to the nude scenes he did with his then-wife Kidman in that artsy film back when.
The cute couple, Julianna Hough and Diablo Beneta, consistently out-perform every other actor on the set, including Cruise. They are not just letter perfect in their roles, but knock them out of the park by being true to their characters. I kept flashing to John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's performance in Grease, in the acting, the singing, the character capture, and the impact at the end of the film. Another performer who shines is Mary J. Blige, who, with the big hair, the big heart, and the big voice, totally sells herself as the voice of reason who tells Sherri (Hough) to go home, to get out before she can't get out.
Malin Ackerman and Paul Giamatti are stuck with stereotypes to play, but they are great in their roles. Malin perfects the seemingly dumb, but well-educated, totally hot woman behind the bleached blonde hair and the librarian glasses, and then she turns up the heat in her (sex) scene with Cruise on the pool table and steals it. Giamatti portrays the money-driven agent with all the aplomb of a used car salesman who takes a clunker and turns it into a dream. He plays with Cruise perfectly, but also portrays another agent side with Beneta, when Giamatti realizes that Jaxx is on his last legs, but this new kid has long legs that will recover the revenue stream nicely, the bird-in-the-hand philosophy switcheroo thingy.
On the other hand, really? Whichever Baldwin and the Brit Twit? These two guys cannot act: they pretend to be something they aren't and do it badly. Alec Baldwin continually stares at something off-camera, perhaps his lines on a cue card, and it is totally distracting. Trying too hard to be something memorable, Russell Brand makes a complete ass of himself, most especially in what could be the most memorable scene of the movie, the realization of his deep affection for Baldwin's character. Brand acts out because he has no idea who he is, so he cannot relate to the character he's supposed to become in the film. What a waste of two good roles that could have soared with proper casting.
And, sorry to say, but Catherine Zeta-Jones falls flat, too. As hot and charismatic as she was in Chicago, she is far too cold, far too aloof, in her role as the Mayor's crusading sex reformer wife. Yeah, she is supposed to be a "reformed" rocker who was burned by Stacee Jaxx long, long ago, but she presents as a block of ice, rather than simply icily dedicated to her current cause. I didn't buy her in the role at all.
One of the best musical numbers is the "street fight" between Zeta-Jones' crusaders and Brand's rocker mentality. It is a well-staged, well-performed mash-up, and an instant hit in the middle of the movie, the scene that wakes the movie back up to performance level and re-engages the audience in the story.
Overall, a great experience and a whole lot of fun if you don't take the basic premise or the final cut too seriously. And I'm still singing, "Pour some sugar on me!" Loudly.
Tom Cruise? Well, he over-does it as the stoned-out rocker, regardless of his role inspiration -- perhaps Axl Rose. Cruise tries for stoned-out distance, but it comes out as a vacancy that creates a void between believable and not so much. He totally rocks out his performance numbers, with, of course, Sugar his crowning glory. It's nice to know that H'wood gives older men so many chances to reinvent their careers at age 50, but prefers to stereotype its women into forever (young) fortyhood. And, just a personal opinion, but I don't buy Tom Cruise as a sex machine: something off there akin to the nude scenes he did with his then-wife Kidman in that artsy film back when.
The cute couple, Julianna Hough and Diablo Beneta, consistently out-perform every other actor on the set, including Cruise. They are not just letter perfect in their roles, but knock them out of the park by being true to their characters. I kept flashing to John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John's performance in Grease, in the acting, the singing, the character capture, and the impact at the end of the film. Another performer who shines is Mary J. Blige, who, with the big hair, the big heart, and the big voice, totally sells herself as the voice of reason who tells Sherri (Hough) to go home, to get out before she can't get out.
Malin Ackerman and Paul Giamatti are stuck with stereotypes to play, but they are great in their roles. Malin perfects the seemingly dumb, but well-educated, totally hot woman behind the bleached blonde hair and the librarian glasses, and then she turns up the heat in her (sex) scene with Cruise on the pool table and steals it. Giamatti portrays the money-driven agent with all the aplomb of a used car salesman who takes a clunker and turns it into a dream. He plays with Cruise perfectly, but also portrays another agent side with Beneta, when Giamatti realizes that Jaxx is on his last legs, but this new kid has long legs that will recover the revenue stream nicely, the bird-in-the-hand philosophy switcheroo thingy.
On the other hand, really? Whichever Baldwin and the Brit Twit? These two guys cannot act: they pretend to be something they aren't and do it badly. Alec Baldwin continually stares at something off-camera, perhaps his lines on a cue card, and it is totally distracting. Trying too hard to be something memorable, Russell Brand makes a complete ass of himself, most especially in what could be the most memorable scene of the movie, the realization of his deep affection for Baldwin's character. Brand acts out because he has no idea who he is, so he cannot relate to the character he's supposed to become in the film. What a waste of two good roles that could have soared with proper casting.
And, sorry to say, but Catherine Zeta-Jones falls flat, too. As hot and charismatic as she was in Chicago, she is far too cold, far too aloof, in her role as the Mayor's crusading sex reformer wife. Yeah, she is supposed to be a "reformed" rocker who was burned by Stacee Jaxx long, long ago, but she presents as a block of ice, rather than simply icily dedicated to her current cause. I didn't buy her in the role at all.
One of the best musical numbers is the "street fight" between Zeta-Jones' crusaders and Brand's rocker mentality. It is a well-staged, well-performed mash-up, and an instant hit in the middle of the movie, the scene that wakes the movie back up to performance level and re-engages the audience in the story.
Overall, a great experience and a whole lot of fun if you don't take the basic premise or the final cut too seriously. And I'm still singing, "Pour some sugar on me!" Loudly.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
In Loco Parentis
Last night’s episode of The Glee Project demonstrates what’s wrong with our thinking, as well as what’s right. WE keep singling out those who are different and demand that they celebrate their uniqueness, often forgetting that WE are more comfortable not putting our vulnerabilities on display than WE are coming out of our own personal closets. This year’s The Glee Project created an unusual cast to compete for the one coveted spot on next season’s Glee, a selection that is supposed to represent a typical high school, but this year seems atypical. As Lindsey Parker writes in her blog Reality Rocks, “… the contestants (among them a plus-sized girl, a blind man, a conflicted Muslim, a transgender, a girl in a wheelchair, and an autistic boy) tapped into their real-life struggles while filming their raw performances.”
Water seeks its own level; when we try to capture it artificially, Mother Nature often corrects our mistake and allows the water to go where it needs to be. The seawall in Japan, which was meant to hold the water back and keep the cities safe, created a much more massive disaster than would have occurred had the water been free to crest and recede. The same is true with people: we are often more comfortable just being who we are, rather than being molded into someone we are not. Are there bullies at high school? Certainly, and often we know why that is true when the bully’s parent(s) show up to question why their kid is being singled out for punishment after an on-campus event occurs. They don’t ask questions; they throw accusations and make demands that are often back up with the phrase “our lawyer.” We quickly realize that the child learned the parental bullying lessons well and is simply living the life s/he knows.
The children who are picked on do not deserve that treatment, but we used to let them fight it out and settle it themselves, not a pretty way to handle things, but often an effective way. Then, we parents butted in and started protecting our children from reality, wherein the one who either cannot or will not fight to protect him/herself is shunned by the ones who do stand up for themselves. When bullies know that they are going down, they often pick on someone their own size; however, when bullies know that no one has the guts to take them out, they are free to act with impunity. It begins in the home, works its way into preschool, and then completes the process throughout the educational system: bullies get better because no one stops them, most especially the system that should. We don’t demand that kids be held accountable for their actions because we’re afraid of the consequences! They aren’t.
The Glee Project took the disparate group of wannabes and gave them a song to perform with the message that It Hurts (But Just Hang On), which they performed well; however, in the process of making the point, the action portrays that anyone and everyone who is perceived as different is a target of violence, which is not always true. When we portray everyone as a victim, then no one is victimized as it’s just what it is – and that’s wrong. Only one of these kids turns on their attackers, the very last one, who pushes back and the bullies back off, too. Sort of. It’s a gratuitous display at best, but at least the point is partially made: stand up for who you are and what you believe.
We adults are too afraid to stand up to our kids, to hold them accountable for their actions, rather than make excuses for what they say and do. Today’s instant media promotes bullying, but we don’t take the phones away, citing a litany of superficial reasons why kids have to have phones 24/7/365. Sure, tragedies happen at schools, but more tragedies are caused by kids with phones than prevented, especially kids behind the wheels of cars who are talking, texting, and watching their viral videos! Kids at school have too much time to take inappropriate photos and videos of one another and post them online, damaging messages that may not have any basis in fact. A nasty tweet does more damage in an instant that any handwritten note passed from one student to another during a class. Going viral seems to be the point, not just the process. The more egregious the claim, the more public the acclaim for the perpetrator. The victim is simply the inciting incident, not really the target, in the twisted logic of today’s teen.
Today’s media makes it okay to do just about anything to anyone without consequences: think TMZ, Access Hollywood, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and all the other media outlets that trash talk with impunity. In point of fact, it’s the consequences that keep the actions in check; without consequences, I can do whatever I want, say whatever I want, and ruin anyone’s life just because I can. This is heady power, whether it’s the media or a school child who wields it. The Glee Project touched on the issue, but didn’t push it – and it’s time we all pushed it, rather than standing back and hoping that a song on an episode of a TV program will do the job for us.
Water seeks its own level; when we try to capture it artificially, Mother Nature often corrects our mistake and allows the water to go where it needs to be. The seawall in Japan, which was meant to hold the water back and keep the cities safe, created a much more massive disaster than would have occurred had the water been free to crest and recede. The same is true with people: we are often more comfortable just being who we are, rather than being molded into someone we are not. Are there bullies at high school? Certainly, and often we know why that is true when the bully’s parent(s) show up to question why their kid is being singled out for punishment after an on-campus event occurs. They don’t ask questions; they throw accusations and make demands that are often back up with the phrase “our lawyer.” We quickly realize that the child learned the parental bullying lessons well and is simply living the life s/he knows.
The children who are picked on do not deserve that treatment, but we used to let them fight it out and settle it themselves, not a pretty way to handle things, but often an effective way. Then, we parents butted in and started protecting our children from reality, wherein the one who either cannot or will not fight to protect him/herself is shunned by the ones who do stand up for themselves. When bullies know that they are going down, they often pick on someone their own size; however, when bullies know that no one has the guts to take them out, they are free to act with impunity. It begins in the home, works its way into preschool, and then completes the process throughout the educational system: bullies get better because no one stops them, most especially the system that should. We don’t demand that kids be held accountable for their actions because we’re afraid of the consequences! They aren’t.
The Glee Project took the disparate group of wannabes and gave them a song to perform with the message that It Hurts (But Just Hang On), which they performed well; however, in the process of making the point, the action portrays that anyone and everyone who is perceived as different is a target of violence, which is not always true. When we portray everyone as a victim, then no one is victimized as it’s just what it is – and that’s wrong. Only one of these kids turns on their attackers, the very last one, who pushes back and the bullies back off, too. Sort of. It’s a gratuitous display at best, but at least the point is partially made: stand up for who you are and what you believe.
We adults are too afraid to stand up to our kids, to hold them accountable for their actions, rather than make excuses for what they say and do. Today’s instant media promotes bullying, but we don’t take the phones away, citing a litany of superficial reasons why kids have to have phones 24/7/365. Sure, tragedies happen at schools, but more tragedies are caused by kids with phones than prevented, especially kids behind the wheels of cars who are talking, texting, and watching their viral videos! Kids at school have too much time to take inappropriate photos and videos of one another and post them online, damaging messages that may not have any basis in fact. A nasty tweet does more damage in an instant that any handwritten note passed from one student to another during a class. Going viral seems to be the point, not just the process. The more egregious the claim, the more public the acclaim for the perpetrator. The victim is simply the inciting incident, not really the target, in the twisted logic of today’s teen.
Today’s media makes it okay to do just about anything to anyone without consequences: think TMZ, Access Hollywood, Extra, Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and all the other media outlets that trash talk with impunity. In point of fact, it’s the consequences that keep the actions in check; without consequences, I can do whatever I want, say whatever I want, and ruin anyone’s life just because I can. This is heady power, whether it’s the media or a school child who wields it. The Glee Project touched on the issue, but didn’t push it – and it’s time we all pushed it, rather than standing back and hoping that a song on an episode of a TV program will do the job for us.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
One Person's Best Job is Another Person's Mess
While in Greece, I bought a large leather bag to carry with me while I travel. It's roomy, with outside pockets secured with straps, as well as a large flap that covers the large cargo deck. However, the outside pocket that is covered with the large flap has no fastener, so, as I quickly discovered, the contents fall out of that compartment even with the large flap secured. After thinking about it, I decided to have a strip of Velcro fastening tape sewn to the inside of that outside pocket to keep it more secure.
I took the bag to a local merchant widely known for supplying travel goods of every kind, some that travelers know and love and far more things that we simply did not know we could live without while visiting foreign ports of call. They are known for luggage care and repair and had added an exterior snap to a bag I bought from them about 6 months ago when I discovered that things also fell out of that bag during use. When I picked up that bag, I was not happy with the huge, clunky snap fixture, but the person who completed the job said that a single snap "tore out" of the fabric bag when he pulled on it, so he had to reinforce the area and add another snap ring to ensure it did not happen again once I had the bag back and was using it. Sounded reasonable, so I paid the bill and have used the bag happily since. Thus, I felt confident after talking to store personnel about what I wanted done to the leather bag that it would be done. Doug, the owner, told me that if I was not in a hurry to have the bag back, he'd like to wait for his "best" worker to come in on Saturday and do the job correctly, so I agreed and waited for the phone call yesterday to tell me the bag was ready for me to pick it up.
The photo shows that the Velcro is sewn on crookedly, with 5 evenly-spaced stitches on the right side of the patch, 3 huge stitches across the bottom of it, and 3 huge stitches at a crooked angle up the left side of the patch. Unfortunately, the big hunk o' Velcro is a "tab" add-on so I can pull it to open/close the pocket. I stared at it, wondering how I could convey "are you shitting me" without saying those words, so I said, "Really? You did this?" He assured me he had hand-sewn the Velcro and it works really, really good.
"Okay," I slowly responded, "but, if I were your MOTHER, would you proudly hand me my favorite leather bag and tell me it looks good?"
His face screwed up in that what do you mean expression that conveys he has no idea how totally pissed off I am, and he said, "Uh, yeah. I had to sew it by hand, so it took me longer than if I coulda used the machine, but ... ." He picked up on my stone cold, unimpressed facial expression and let it go.
"Well," I replied, "I had to wait several extra days for this job to be completed because Doug told me that he'd only trust his best guy to do this for me. If you are the best, son, I'm wondering what kind of a mess your worst co-worker could have made."
"So, it's $30," was his only reply.
"No," I assured him. "I'm not going to pay $30 for this job and you are going to have to figure out how to fix the mess you've made of my bag -- or how to get a replacement bag here in a timely manner. Now, I'd like to talk to Doug, if he's available, or your manager if he's around."
"Uh, okay, but he's with a customer, so you'll have to wait."
As he continued to look at me, wondering how to make me go away, he volunteered that he could take out the stitches and resew it, but I assured him that I know stitching, even in leather, and what was he going to do with all the holes he'd leave in the leather from his first attempt? No, he had no idea what to do, what not to do, or how soon he was going to lose his job, so I simply stared back at him, daring him to say even one more word to me.
I waited, and then I asked the manager to come over to the repair counter. I asked him if he had approved this repair on my favorite leather bag. As he looked at it, he knew what was coming and tried really hard not to say, "Oh, shit, this is totally screwed up," but it was a losing battle. He and the repair worker tried to find a work-around, but what they proposed I counter-proposed; instead of a large square patch, the least they could do is cut out a shape similar to the other shapes already used to accent the bag and use the machine to sew it well over the hand stitching the "best" worker did. I was told it would be machine stitched when I agreed to the process a week ago, so no matter how challenging it is and/or how long it takes, this fix better be damned good and not another clumsy hand-stitched attempt to find something that won't be as bad.
I left, got to the edge of the parking lot, then turned around and returned to the store to take a photo. The two men were still standing at the counter, ruminating about how they were going either to make this better or go away. I drove home, still not confident that my bag is going to be fixed properly, then waited to hear from someone, anyone from the shop. The call came this morning, two days after the trip to the store to pick up the bag after the first fix, and it was not promising. The plan was to leave in place the first attempt, but cover it by sewing another leather flap over the top of it, but only securing it at the top -- so it would flap. I asked about removing the first patch and replacing it with a new piece of leather machine-stitched over the first clumsy attempt, but that was met with silence. I asked about gluing the new leather patch to the bag so it wouldn't flop, which was also met with silence. I directed them to do nothing because I absolutely did not see that any of their proposed solutions would make the mess better and told them that I'd drive all the way back to their shop Thursday and we'd discuss it again.
Then, I thought about the reality: there is no way any of the personnel at the shop could fix the mess they've made of my bag, so I need to retrieve the bag and find another plan. I called them back and told them that a friend would be by this afternoon to pick up the bag because I honestly do not believe they have a viable solution to the problem they've created. Ironically, after my friend picked up the bag, she called and told me "it doesn't look that bad," especially because the larger flap covers it. As I told her, sure, it covers the mess when the flap is secured, but the reason for carying a bag is to get at the contents, so every time I have to take out my wallet, I'm going to see that mess and be pissed all over again!!
There was no charge by the shop, but I'm going to have to find someone who can make the bag look a whole lot better than it does before I'm going to be happy again!!
I took the bag to a local merchant widely known for supplying travel goods of every kind, some that travelers know and love and far more things that we simply did not know we could live without while visiting foreign ports of call. They are known for luggage care and repair and had added an exterior snap to a bag I bought from them about 6 months ago when I discovered that things also fell out of that bag during use. When I picked up that bag, I was not happy with the huge, clunky snap fixture, but the person who completed the job said that a single snap "tore out" of the fabric bag when he pulled on it, so he had to reinforce the area and add another snap ring to ensure it did not happen again once I had the bag back and was using it. Sounded reasonable, so I paid the bill and have used the bag happily since. Thus, I felt confident after talking to store personnel about what I wanted done to the leather bag that it would be done. Doug, the owner, told me that if I was not in a hurry to have the bag back, he'd like to wait for his "best" worker to come in on Saturday and do the job correctly, so I agreed and waited for the phone call yesterday to tell me the bag was ready for me to pick it up.
The photo shows that the Velcro is sewn on crookedly, with 5 evenly-spaced stitches on the right side of the patch, 3 huge stitches across the bottom of it, and 3 huge stitches at a crooked angle up the left side of the patch. Unfortunately, the big hunk o' Velcro is a "tab" add-on so I can pull it to open/close the pocket. I stared at it, wondering how I could convey "are you shitting me" without saying those words, so I said, "Really? You did this?" He assured me he had hand-sewn the Velcro and it works really, really good.
"Okay," I slowly responded, "but, if I were your MOTHER, would you proudly hand me my favorite leather bag and tell me it looks good?"
His face screwed up in that what do you mean expression that conveys he has no idea how totally pissed off I am, and he said, "Uh, yeah. I had to sew it by hand, so it took me longer than if I coulda used the machine, but ... ." He picked up on my stone cold, unimpressed facial expression and let it go.
"Well," I replied, "I had to wait several extra days for this job to be completed because Doug told me that he'd only trust his best guy to do this for me. If you are the best, son, I'm wondering what kind of a mess your worst co-worker could have made."
"So, it's $30," was his only reply.
"No," I assured him. "I'm not going to pay $30 for this job and you are going to have to figure out how to fix the mess you've made of my bag -- or how to get a replacement bag here in a timely manner. Now, I'd like to talk to Doug, if he's available, or your manager if he's around."
"Uh, okay, but he's with a customer, so you'll have to wait."
As he continued to look at me, wondering how to make me go away, he volunteered that he could take out the stitches and resew it, but I assured him that I know stitching, even in leather, and what was he going to do with all the holes he'd leave in the leather from his first attempt? No, he had no idea what to do, what not to do, or how soon he was going to lose his job, so I simply stared back at him, daring him to say even one more word to me.
I waited, and then I asked the manager to come over to the repair counter. I asked him if he had approved this repair on my favorite leather bag. As he looked at it, he knew what was coming and tried really hard not to say, "Oh, shit, this is totally screwed up," but it was a losing battle. He and the repair worker tried to find a work-around, but what they proposed I counter-proposed; instead of a large square patch, the least they could do is cut out a shape similar to the other shapes already used to accent the bag and use the machine to sew it well over the hand stitching the "best" worker did. I was told it would be machine stitched when I agreed to the process a week ago, so no matter how challenging it is and/or how long it takes, this fix better be damned good and not another clumsy hand-stitched attempt to find something that won't be as bad.
I left, got to the edge of the parking lot, then turned around and returned to the store to take a photo. The two men were still standing at the counter, ruminating about how they were going either to make this better or go away. I drove home, still not confident that my bag is going to be fixed properly, then waited to hear from someone, anyone from the shop. The call came this morning, two days after the trip to the store to pick up the bag after the first fix, and it was not promising. The plan was to leave in place the first attempt, but cover it by sewing another leather flap over the top of it, but only securing it at the top -- so it would flap. I asked about removing the first patch and replacing it with a new piece of leather machine-stitched over the first clumsy attempt, but that was met with silence. I asked about gluing the new leather patch to the bag so it wouldn't flop, which was also met with silence. I directed them to do nothing because I absolutely did not see that any of their proposed solutions would make the mess better and told them that I'd drive all the way back to their shop Thursday and we'd discuss it again.
Then, I thought about the reality: there is no way any of the personnel at the shop could fix the mess they've made of my bag, so I need to retrieve the bag and find another plan. I called them back and told them that a friend would be by this afternoon to pick up the bag because I honestly do not believe they have a viable solution to the problem they've created. Ironically, after my friend picked up the bag, she called and told me "it doesn't look that bad," especially because the larger flap covers it. As I told her, sure, it covers the mess when the flap is secured, but the reason for carying a bag is to get at the contents, so every time I have to take out my wallet, I'm going to see that mess and be pissed all over again!!
There was no charge by the shop, but I'm going to have to find someone who can make the bag look a whole lot better than it does before I'm going to be happy again!!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Fair Fight
A former student took on Manny Pac last night in an overly-hyped fight that brought together diverse fans at viewing parties throughout the valley. Because I knew Tim when he was in high school and admire both him and his father, Ray, I found an on-line blog and followed the action as it happened. Or lack of it. PacMan was the biggest challenger Tim has met in his undefeated career, the one worthy of either making -- or breaking -- Tim's career, and, at the end of 12 rounds, it was clear that Tim had been way over his ability in the ring, but had given both the opponent and the fans a fair fight.
When the fight promoter, Arum, came into the ring at the end of the fight, allegedly Bradley said to him, "I tried my best, but I just couldn't beat the guy."
Shock and Awe usually means that it's such a great fight that everyone is shocked, and then awed, by the contest; last night, however, the shock came when Tim won the fight in a split decision that caused an immediate "Ah, what the fuck?" reaction ringside, shock and awe that was clearly evident on Tim's face. Instantly following the announcement that Bradley won the match, the boos expressed disgust and the accusations of a "fix" went global. Instead of a moment of triumph and glory, Bradley was stuttering the in the middle of the ring while trying to explain his win.
''I thought I won the fight,'' Bradley said. ''I didn't think he was as good as everyone says he was. I didn't feel his power.''
Bradley's comments conflicted with what the ringside commentary showed, a young, cocky boxer who was stunned by a solid left punch early on that controlled the rest of the fight, a punch thrown by PacMan and followed by punch after punch after punch in subsequent rounds. Bradley went the distance, but that's all he did. The online blog used comments such as "ineffective" to describe the fight from Bradley, while PacMan dominated. No one, and I mean no one, calling the fight and/or scoring it online, had Bradley winning it, but no one counts except the 3 judges ring-side, and one gave it to PacMan, while the other two gave it to Bradley, their margins closer than anyone could have expected after watching what appeared to be a one-sided match that PacMan clearly dominated.
The boxing promoter (Arum) who handles both fighters was stunned: he believes the split decision casts a pall on the entire fight, but he'll make a huge payday on the rematch, so let's think ahead to November. The way it works, it seems, is that the boxers signed a contract that stipulates if the challenger, in this case Tim, gets a decision, the champion is entitled to a rematch to regain his title. The reason for this, on the surface, is that the champ earned the title and it may be a fluke when he loses it, but what it's really all about is fight promotion. The theory is that everyone will tune in for the rematch, if for no other reason than to see Tim beaten to a pulp by the obviously better fighter who was robbed in the first match. The controversial split decision sets up a rematch that ups the finanical ante for everyone connected to the contest, and there is huge money in boxing, including the $5 million purse that Tim will be given for going the distance last night.
I'm not a fight fan, but if/when fighters take to the ring, it needs to be a fair fight, not fixed. Tim will never be known as the young upstart boxer who beat Manny Pac, but he'll be the cocky kid who was given a controversial split decision the day boxing lost its credibility.
When the fight promoter, Arum, came into the ring at the end of the fight, allegedly Bradley said to him, "I tried my best, but I just couldn't beat the guy."
Shock and Awe usually means that it's such a great fight that everyone is shocked, and then awed, by the contest; last night, however, the shock came when Tim won the fight in a split decision that caused an immediate "Ah, what the fuck?" reaction ringside, shock and awe that was clearly evident on Tim's face. Instantly following the announcement that Bradley won the match, the boos expressed disgust and the accusations of a "fix" went global. Instead of a moment of triumph and glory, Bradley was stuttering the in the middle of the ring while trying to explain his win.
''I thought I won the fight,'' Bradley said. ''I didn't think he was as good as everyone says he was. I didn't feel his power.''
Bradley's comments conflicted with what the ringside commentary showed, a young, cocky boxer who was stunned by a solid left punch early on that controlled the rest of the fight, a punch thrown by PacMan and followed by punch after punch after punch in subsequent rounds. Bradley went the distance, but that's all he did. The online blog used comments such as "ineffective" to describe the fight from Bradley, while PacMan dominated. No one, and I mean no one, calling the fight and/or scoring it online, had Bradley winning it, but no one counts except the 3 judges ring-side, and one gave it to PacMan, while the other two gave it to Bradley, their margins closer than anyone could have expected after watching what appeared to be a one-sided match that PacMan clearly dominated.
The boxing promoter (Arum) who handles both fighters was stunned: he believes the split decision casts a pall on the entire fight, but he'll make a huge payday on the rematch, so let's think ahead to November. The way it works, it seems, is that the boxers signed a contract that stipulates if the challenger, in this case Tim, gets a decision, the champion is entitled to a rematch to regain his title. The reason for this, on the surface, is that the champ earned the title and it may be a fluke when he loses it, but what it's really all about is fight promotion. The theory is that everyone will tune in for the rematch, if for no other reason than to see Tim beaten to a pulp by the obviously better fighter who was robbed in the first match. The controversial split decision sets up a rematch that ups the finanical ante for everyone connected to the contest, and there is huge money in boxing, including the $5 million purse that Tim will be given for going the distance last night.
I'm not a fight fan, but if/when fighters take to the ring, it needs to be a fair fight, not fixed. Tim will never be known as the young upstart boxer who beat Manny Pac, but he'll be the cocky kid who was given a controversial split decision the day boxing lost its credibility.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Made In Japan
Yep, the earthquake and resultant tsunami devastated the eastern coast of Japan, which is separated from the western coastline of the USA by miles of open ocean. There are photos of the endless tons of debris floating toward the US, debris that probably is radio-active, as well as infested with lord only knows what else, including human remains. The debris washed into the sea has been traveling across that vast expanse of ocean for the past year and is now coming ashore in Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as the islands and mainland of Alaska. The latest piece to wash ashore is a huge cement dock covered in sea creatures not indigenous to our shores.
This debris was made in Japan, so is Japanese property, but I have not heard that Japan is pro-actively engaged in either stopping the debris from washing ashore or handling it once it beaches. The US sent a ship out to scuttle the abandoned military ship that posed a huge hazard to navigation, as well as to keep it from coming ashore along the US coastline. We now have whatever was on that cement dock all along our coastline, a gift we really did not want, but will have to handle from this point forward. No telling what it's going to do to our ecosystems, as well as our economy, and the rest of the debris slowly but surely continues to make its way to landfall in the US.
Can the US afford the clean-up; if so, which agency is going to pick up the tab? I'd be on the phone to Japan's prime minister and strongly suggesting that he send some ships this way to intercept the debris before it lands -- or off-load a bunch of workers to clean it up once it does make land. This is one Japanese export we really do not need.
This debris was made in Japan, so is Japanese property, but I have not heard that Japan is pro-actively engaged in either stopping the debris from washing ashore or handling it once it beaches. The US sent a ship out to scuttle the abandoned military ship that posed a huge hazard to navigation, as well as to keep it from coming ashore along the US coastline. We now have whatever was on that cement dock all along our coastline, a gift we really did not want, but will have to handle from this point forward. No telling what it's going to do to our ecosystems, as well as our economy, and the rest of the debris slowly but surely continues to make its way to landfall in the US.
Can the US afford the clean-up; if so, which agency is going to pick up the tab? I'd be on the phone to Japan's prime minister and strongly suggesting that he send some ships this way to intercept the debris before it lands -- or off-load a bunch of workers to clean it up once it does make land. This is one Japanese export we really do not need.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Cola Cops
The Governor of anywhere, but this time New York, thinks it’s a good idea to limit the sales of soda by size. The US Constitution says I have the right to freedom of speech, the right to peaceful assembly, the right to bear arms, the right to vote for our next President, but NOT the right to choose the size of a summer soda?
Proof that the law is urgently needed? There’s allegedly too much sugar in soda, allegedly as much as 8 ounces of sugar in a 42-ounce soda. The purported evidence, dramatically enhanced by pouring a full cup of sugar into an empty 42-ounce soda cup, may suggest that perhaps someone should encourage soda manufacturers to deal with a sugar issue, but legislating the size of soda a consumer purchases in a free marketplace? One newscaster actually admitted that it’s “too hard” to say no to her young children, especially when it’s really hot outside, even though she knows that soda is “really bad” for them. Hand them a bottle of ice-cold water and say no to other alternatives. If they are really thirsty and it’s really hot, they will really drink the water!
We put warnings on alcohol, cigarettes, and other consumables that may cause health concerns, but we go directly to supervising the soda dispensers?
I know for a fact that there’s too much sugar in lemonade, so the only viable option is to outlaw all the lemonade stands, rather than allow a consumer the choice whether to enjoy a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day? I know for a fact that “real fruit drinks” add far too much sugar to make them taste sweeter, so the only viable option is to take all the fruit drinks off the shelves rather than allow the consumer to decide which drinks, how often, and how much? I know for a fact that there’s too much sugar in just about anything with a sweet taste, but where does it end? Why does a paternalistic governor’s failure to monitor his blood sugar become my problem? Is regulating his salt intake on the backs of consumers his next publicity ploy? After all, how much salt is too much salt on a pile of fries? And, there’s sugar in the catsup, governor.
Who is going to monitor the fast-food restaurants and store fronts 24/7 to keep consumers from committing condiment suicide?
Government governs best when it governs least, when the citizens are not just empowered, but actually determine the appropriate laws of the land. We have virulent crime, including a teen boy riding a bike who shot a father and his child in Los Angeles yesterday. Perhaps we could focus the cola cops on that crime arena, rather than patrolling the quick marts’ soda dispensers?
Proof that the law is urgently needed? There’s allegedly too much sugar in soda, allegedly as much as 8 ounces of sugar in a 42-ounce soda. The purported evidence, dramatically enhanced by pouring a full cup of sugar into an empty 42-ounce soda cup, may suggest that perhaps someone should encourage soda manufacturers to deal with a sugar issue, but legislating the size of soda a consumer purchases in a free marketplace? One newscaster actually admitted that it’s “too hard” to say no to her young children, especially when it’s really hot outside, even though she knows that soda is “really bad” for them. Hand them a bottle of ice-cold water and say no to other alternatives. If they are really thirsty and it’s really hot, they will really drink the water!
We put warnings on alcohol, cigarettes, and other consumables that may cause health concerns, but we go directly to supervising the soda dispensers?
I know for a fact that there’s too much sugar in lemonade, so the only viable option is to outlaw all the lemonade stands, rather than allow a consumer the choice whether to enjoy a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day? I know for a fact that “real fruit drinks” add far too much sugar to make them taste sweeter, so the only viable option is to take all the fruit drinks off the shelves rather than allow the consumer to decide which drinks, how often, and how much? I know for a fact that there’s too much sugar in just about anything with a sweet taste, but where does it end? Why does a paternalistic governor’s failure to monitor his blood sugar become my problem? Is regulating his salt intake on the backs of consumers his next publicity ploy? After all, how much salt is too much salt on a pile of fries? And, there’s sugar in the catsup, governor.
Who is going to monitor the fast-food restaurants and store fronts 24/7 to keep consumers from committing condiment suicide?
Government governs best when it governs least, when the citizens are not just empowered, but actually determine the appropriate laws of the land. We have virulent crime, including a teen boy riding a bike who shot a father and his child in Los Angeles yesterday. Perhaps we could focus the cola cops on that crime arena, rather than patrolling the quick marts’ soda dispensers?
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Inevitable
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